Fairly buried on the depth chart and a UDFA but making a name for himself and seeing some first team reps this week. I think all question Hillman some question Ball. Could this guy sneak in there to be at least the number two? Strong suits seem to be pass protection and bowling people over at 5 foot 10 225ish pounds. Both seem like good qualities to me. Thoughts?

Yes, he's definitely of interest. The skills toolbox in the Denver backfield seems to always lack an Allen wrench or a Phillips head, or both, so anyone having the firm prospect of protecting Peyton and not embarrassing himself with the ball in his hands deserves consideration. What we don't know is how much Ball has improved and we likely won't know the answer to that until after our fantasy drafts. So it's a game of evaluating potential lottery picks between Hillman, CJ Anderson and Thompson, any one (or 2 or 3?) of which may have a role...perhaps a very big role...depending on Ball's health and skills improvements.

Fairly buried on the depth chart and a UDFA but making a name for himself and seeing some first team reps this week. I think all question Hillman some question Ball. Could this guy sneak in there to be at least the number two? Strong suits seem to be pass protection and bowling people over at 5 foot 10 225ish pounds. Both seem like good qualities to me. Thoughts?

Definitely a great late round flyer. Who knows what to expect out of Denver's running game? I don't like Hillman though. And they do like their rotations here. Same OC as last year and while Moreno was very good, they were happy to run a 3 back rotation anyway. I'm set on grabbing him in one of the last rounds.

Yea I saw the same in CJ Anderson. Essentially, I'm looking to grab whomever makes the depth chart and isn't named Hillman or Ball.

Thompson might be stronger in the passing game than most tailbacks, having come from Duke and coach David Cutcliffe, Peyton Manning's favorite quarterback mentor among non-Broncos.

That background might help give Thompson an edge against undrafted rookies Brennan Clay and Kapri Bibbs.

"I grew up in the passing game, and it's the same thing here with Peyton," Thompson said. "That means you have to think aboutprotection first, and routes. The run game, it's fairly easy to get the ball and run. But when you've got to run a route, beat a defender, and also catch the ball and get upfield, it's a little more difficult."

Thompson met Manning when the star QB had his annual two-day Broncos receiver camp at Duke in March. That helped Thompson stay grounded as he walked into his first NFL locker room as a player in late May.

"When you see him, he wants to be a normal person because I know he gets beat over the head with people coming at him all the time," Thompson said of Manning. "Just treat him with respect."

I drafted Ball last year and then had to choose who to try to handcuff him with(chose wrong). It's even more muddled this year. That article makes me think Thompson could be the guy but I can't believe CJ Anderson is going away that easily. I just can't see Hillman stepping into a feature back role although he'd probably get work if Ball goes down.

This guy is the real deal... he runs hard, has decent hands, and most importantly on this team - he can pick up the blitz. It's just a matter of getting him some playing time. We saw a little this week but definitely not servicable yet. It was fun to see him get his first NFL TD though.

3 garbage time carries for 15 yards one a 8 yard TD scamper. Looked like their best back in preseason if ball misses weeks may be worth keeping an eye on. Don't think anyone is sold on hillman.

The only reason why he got a shot to play is because CJ Anderson was a healthy scratch. Thompson plays on special teams, Anderson does not. Thompson will more than likely be #3 behind Hillman and Anderson.